Sudanese jet with 44 on board crashes, many injured

JUBA, March 20, 2017

A passenger jet carrying 45 people crash-landed in South Sudan's north-western city of Wau on Saturday, leaving at least 14 people injured, said a report citing government and airport officials.

Visibility is said to have been poor when the South Supreme Airlines plane crashed in the town of Wau and burst into flames in South Sudan.

Images circulating on social media showed thick black smoke billowing from the aircraft, which was completely burned out except for the tail, clearly bearing the insignia of local carrier South Supreme Airlines, according to AFP.

Initial reports suggested as many as 44 people had died in the crash.

However, the manager of South Supreme Airlines told the National Courier there were no casualties.

He said all of the passengers were evacuated from the plane before it was destroyed by the fire.

Witnesses have said that smoke was seen coming from the back of the plane before it crashed and bursted into flames, reported Express, citing a local journalist Deng Dimo.

"The plane was blowing smoke from the tail before it crashed. But when it touched the ground, it immediately burst into a huge flame," he said.

"About 17 to 18 people injured in the incident have been taken to hospital," he added.